We are planning our first trip to France in September. We want to take our first few days (Thursday through late-afternoon Saturday) in France and see Normandy before going to Paris. We want to see D-Day beaches, Mont St Michel, Giverny, and Versailles on the way back into the city. Trying to figure out the best way to get it all in if possible and have time to still take in the experience without completely rushing everything. Thought I'd ask the "experts" if we are trying to do too much in that time and if so, what is the most worthwhile to stop and take in. We definately want to see the d-day beaches and Mont St Michel. I would prefer not to see MSM during the day just based on the reviews about the crowds.

Here's what we're thinking: Thursday a.m. take train to Caen. Pick up rental car and drive to d-day beaches. Drive to Mont St Michel late afternoon. Check-in hotel (most likely outside of island - everything seems booked up) and make way to abbey. Spend evening there and go back to hotel late night. (Is this too much to do in one day / night?)

Friday spend day driving from MSM through Caen, Honfleir, Rouen, and Giverny (just stopping where we think is interesting - would like to at least see Monet's home). Spend night in that area.

Saturday a.m. make way to Paris. stopping at Versailles on the way.

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks so much for the help!

Thursday's plan is OK. Friday's is impossible, unless you just want to to a drive-by. And you haven't even mentioned Bayeux.

The Memorial Museum in Caen can easily take a half a day. Bayeux can take the other half. Rouen's a big city with loads of attractions. Honfleur can't really be appreciated in less than a half day. And those are bare minimums. Giverny doesn't take all that much time just to go through the house and gardens, but in September you are likely to have to contend with crowds unless you go first thing in the morning.

I think you need to re-think this unless your intention really is just to get a glimpse of all that.

Ditto on StCirq's response about your Friday itinerary. Get Michelin maps for this region with a scale 1/200,000 and use the website viamichelin.com to estimate drive times and distances, toll and fuel costs and suggested routes. The times do not consider traffic and stops.

If you are arriving in France on Thursday morning via a transatlantic flight, you will be very tired and jet-lagged and I think your "Thursday" plan is way too ambitious if that is the case. Can't tell from your post where you are arriving from. Sorry if I missed it.

I don't think either day would be very memorable unless, as StCirq mentioned, you're just planning drive-bys. In addition to St Cirq's timing/stopping comments, I'd add a visit to one of the D-Day cemeteries and to the small museum at Arromanches.